Groundwork Ohio Launches Early Childhood Dashboard Preview
This week, Groundwork Ohio released its Early Childhood Dashboard Preview, which outlines Ohio’s performance on 20 key early childhood metrics. The Early Childhood Dashboard Preview is a precursor to a first-of-its-kind, more comprehensive Early Childhood Dashboard that will be released in 2023. Ultimately, the Early ChildhoodDashboard will be a tool to track Ohio’s performance on key early childhood metrics and illuminate areas where the state needs increased investment, focused attention, and urgent action.
Over the next year, Groundwork Ohio will gather feedback on the Dashboard Preview to inform development of the 2023 Dashboard. As part of this process, Groundwork will consult with and solicit feedback from early childhood experts, families, community organizations, providers, and other early childhood stakeholders at the local, state, and national levels.
We want to hear from you! Groundwork Ohio invites you to check out our Early Childhood Dashboard Preview and share your feedback.
Ohio Leaders Deliver Powerful Testimony on Quality Child Care
On Wednesday, the Ohio Legislative Study Committee on Ohio’s Publicly Funded Child Care and Step Up To Quality Program heard testimony on the essential role quality child care plays in supporting children, families, and communities.
During the hearing, early childhood professionals, experts, and community leaders made a powerful case for why policymakers must double down on the state’s commitment to provide quality early learning opportunities to Ohio children, regardless of their race, family’s income, ZIP code, or disability.
Check out our recap featuring excerpts from the testimonies shared before the study committee!
New Job Opportunity: Director, Center for Family Voice at Groundwork Ohio
Groundwork Ohio is seeking applicants to join our growing team as the Director of the Center for Family Voice!
The Center for Family Voice at Groundwork Ohio is dedicated to authentically engaging Ohio parents and families with young children in the policies and practices that impact the healthy development of their children. The Director of the Center for Family Voice will oversee Center activities and drive the Center’s work to elevate the voices of families with young children in early childhood policy and advocacy to achieve programmatic, policy, and practice changes at local, regional, and state levels.
Prospective applicants ready to collaborate with an awesome and highly effective team of professionals are encouraged to apply by Monday, April 4, 2022. Check out the job description for more information on this exciting new role and how to apply!
ICYMI: Governor DeWine Announces $650 Million for Child Care Providers
Last week, during a visit to the Columbus Early Learning Center, Governor Mike DeWine announced an additional $650 million in grants to help child care programs defray unexpected business costs associated with the pandemic and to help stabilize child care program operations. Importantly, this is in addition to the $150 million in child care grants announced in December.
Governor DeWine's announcement was made on the one year anniversary of President Joe Biden signing the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law. Through funding received in ARPA, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has established several child care stabilization sub-grant opportunities to help child care programs recover from the pandemic.
Get to Know Groundwork: Amy Meade, Policy & Operations Manager
Last week, as part of our ongoing "Get to Know Groundwork" series, we introduced you to Lysette Arnold, Groundwork Ohio's Policy Assistant. This week, we're introducing you to Amy Meade, Groundwork's Policy & Operations Manager! Amy joined Groundwork Ohio this week, and we're thrilled to welcome her to the team.
Read our Q&A with Amy to learn more about why she's a passionate early childhood advocate and what her vision of the future is for Ohio's youngest children and their families!
Love, Blessed, and Resilient: Ohioans Tell Us About Their Families
What's the first word that comes to mind when you think of your family?
Groundwork Ohio recently asked this question to members of our inaugural Family Action Network to learn more about their families and their stories. The most common words that came to mind for parents and caregivers of young children? Love. Blessed. Resilient. Fun. Energetic. Crazy.
This week, Groundwork's Policy Assistant Lysette Arnold wrote a blog sharing what we're hearing from families in our Family Action Network. In her blog, Lysette also previews the exciting programming we have planned for members of the Family Action Network, including our launch event on May 18, 2022 at the Ohio Statehouse!
Want to increase your impact? Share this message with family, friends, and colleagues now!